Biological cell sample holder for use in infrared and/or Raman spectroscopy analysis holder

Abstract

A biological cell sample holder for use in infrared and/or Raman spectroscopy. The sample holder includes a rectangular body that has a stepped opening through the center. The body is transparent to infrared and Raman energy. A window is disposed in the stepped opening. The window has pores of a predetermined size to allow fluid to pass through the window but retain cells of interest on the window. There also is an assembly that is used to cause the collection and concentration of cells on the window. The assembly includes a flask with a first outlet that connects to a vacuum source and a second outlet that connects to a drain system. The flask has a open top end. A frit sealingly engages the top end of the flask. The frit is hollow and has a nipple extending from the top surface of the frit. The fruit has a top surface that is adapted to fit the sample holder.

I claim: 
     
       1. A system for preparation of cells, the sample holder being capable of removing such cells from suspension in fluids, the preparation including collecting and concentrating such cells, and further processing such cells so that useful vibrational spectra may be obtained from such cells: a central body that is transparent to at least infrared energy and Raman scattered radiation;   a stepped opening through the central body;   a porous window disposed in the stepped opening, with the window being at least transparent to infrared energy and Raman scattered radiation and including pores of a predetermined size extending through the window, with the window being capable of having cells prepared, which includes collecting, concentrating, and processing cells, at the window;   an assembly for causing cells to be collected, concentrated, and processed on the window of the sample holder, with the assembly including,   a container having an outlet for connection to a vacuum source, a second outlet for connection to a drain means, and a top end,   a porous member that sealingly connects to the top end of the container and has a surface adapted to mate with the sample holder so that at least a part of the porous member is disposed beneath and adjacent to the window to operate in combination with the window for the preparation of cells, which includes collecting, concentrating, and processing cells, at the window.   
     
     
       2. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein the porous member has at least a portion that is dimensioned to fit against a predetermined portion of the window. 
     
     
       3. The system as recited in claim 2, wherein pores of the porous member have a size to permit fluid and material that pass through the window to pass through the porous member. 
     
     
       4. The system as recited in claim 3, wherein the porous member includes a frit.